Honor Guard: Are you up for the challenge?

Members of the Steel Talons Honor Guard practice firing at the Heritage Center at Holloman Air Force Base Feb. 20. The Holloman honor guard practices every day for more then 300 events a year including military funeral honors, military ceremonies, and community functions.

Looking into the eyes of a crying mother because her son was killed while defending our country, hearing a widow read her husband's eulogy that begins with, "his service as a Vietnam hero..." and being among disciplined honor guard members who dedicate their time to practice for these moments: These are just a few reasons why 2nd Lt. Angele Montfort, the officer in charge of the Steel Talons Honor Guard at Holloman Air Force Base, feels proud to be a part of the team.

"When you are amongst other honor guard members who dedicate their time to practice and perform, you have no choice but to want to be disciplined and humbled and have a genuine respect for the comrades who have fallen for our country," Montfort said.

The Steel Talons Honor Guard was created to honor fallen comrades and those who have served in any branch of the military.

They do so by performing a variety of military and civilian ceremonies ranging from posting of the colors at a change of command to full military honors at an active-duty service member's funeral.

The honor guard here practices every day to perfect the discipline and professionalism necessary to perform under immense pressure during such events.